It would appear the only people who appear to be in favour of FortisBC’s application to bring advance metering infrastructure – more commonly known as smart meters – to customers in the South Okanagan is management with the utility company.
During two public hearings last Wednesday at the Spirit Ridge Resort and Spa in Osoyoos, speaker after speaker appeared before three commissioners who are on the payroll with the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) and urged them not to grant the FortisBC application before them that would allow the utility company to install smart meters on buildings here in Osoyoos and across the entire South Okanagan.
Almost every one of the dozen people who made formal presentations to the BCUC panel urged them to reject the FortisBC application and they all had similar concerns.
They are worried the electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from these devices have the potential to cause serious and irreparable harm to their personal health.
Many of them claimed there is adequate scientific evidence to raise serious concerns over the safety of these wireless devices.
Many were adamant utility companies are willing to risk the health and safety of their customers simply to add to the bottom line and increase profits.
Others insisted a public utility company should not have the right to impose their will and force customers to accept devices they want nothing to do with.
BCUC commissioners Norman MacMurchy, Len Kelsey and David Morton didn’t say much at all during the presentations and were not taking notes during the evening session, but they did listen attentively and assured members of the public that all information presented to them during public hearings will be strongly considered when coming to a final decision.
From the time FortisBC announced its intention to bring smart meters to this region of the province several months ago, not once has a manager from FortisBC been willing to go on the record and address key concerns about health and safety issues relating to smart meters and EMR.
The only comments have come from FortisBC’s public relations department personnel, who repeat the same mantra over and over again – that the company is following all guidelines and procedures in accordance with all government regulations.
A previous attempt by FortisBC to bring smart meters to the Southern Interior was rejected by the BCUC back in 2008.
The amount of public dissent and acrimony relating to these devices has increased exponentially since that time and there doesn’t appear to be any valid reason the BCUC would support the FortisBC application this time around.
There is simply no justification for allowing these smart meters to be forced down the collective throats of FortisBC customers.
People are deeply concerned about their health and safety as numerous scientific reports clearly indicate these things are potentially dangerous and no one should be forced to use a device they don’t want on their property. It appears the final decision for the BCUC to reject the application should be an easy one.
There’s sure to be a massive uproar if the BCUC doesn’t listen to the public and allows this application to proceed.